James Tedesco determined to play in State of Origin I

NSW star James Tedesco says he is planning to play in the opening game of the State of Origin despite being in a knee brace this week.

Roosters fullback James Tedesco is tackled during the NRL semi-final loss to Canberra. Picture: Getty Images

James Tedesco plans to test his dodgy knee next week but in his own mind, he will be fit and firing come the opening game of the State of Origin series.

“It is all right,” Tedesco told The Australian. “I am just staying in the brace — I will probably get out of it this week. I am going to try to run next week and see how I go.

“I have spoken to different people and different guys have had different recoveries with it. Some people are quick, some people are (slow).

“I can walk around but the brace is on as a precaution.”

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Tedesco suffered a grade two medial ligament tear in the Sydney Roosters’ semi-final loss to Canberra. He finished the game and was subsequently named in Brad Fittler’s 20-man squad — another seven players will be added after Sunday night’s grand final – but is yet to join his teammates in camp on NSW’s Central Coast as he focuses on rehabilitating his knee with his personal physio Anthony Carbone and Roosters medicos.

The clock is ticking. The opening game of the Origin series will be played in Adelaide on November 4 and Tedesco is a crucial piece of the puzzle.

He has been the outstanding player for the Blues over the past two years and although NSW have alternative fullbacks at their disposal — Clint Gutherson is already in the squad and Melbourne’s Ryan Papenhuyzen is expected to join him after the grand final — there is no doubt Fittler would prefer to have a fit Tedesco at his disposal.

At the same time, embattled and undermanned Queensland are no doubt keeping their fingers crossed that he is ruled out. Working in Tedesco’s favour is the fact he finished the game against the Raiders.

“I could still run, which makes me feel more confident,” he said.

“I will stay in this (brace) so it heals quick and then have to build up the muscles around it so when I start running (again) it supports it well.

“I had a few injuries back in the day. I feel like I do everything I can to give myself every chance. I am always strict with the rehab and recovery stuff.

“I would prefer to be sweet for the first game and I feel like if I play that game, I will be sweet for the next two games.”

In his own head, he will be there.

“That is my mindset at the moment,” he said.